Q&A

How can I relieve the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?

I’m suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. Do you have any suggestions on how I can relieve the problem?

A.

You can reduce the potential for damage by changing some of your techniques. One I used when I began having symptoms of carpal tunnel was “building to finish,” meaning do not add any more product than you need so you do not have to take it back off — build it to be what you want as a finished product. This takes practice and a good eye, but it works.

In the first years of being a nail tech, most of us add product here and there and end up adding way too much. Thin your tip as you build, build the shape (as much as you can), and most importantly, do not over-build. This dramatically reduces three things: the amount of time you build, the amount of time for finish, and the amount of product you use. The rewards are half the stress on your wrists, less time on each client, and less product to purchase.

Also, whenever my wrist started feeling tired, a bit achy, or generally like I was headed for trouble, I put on one of those stiff wrist guards (purchased at a drugstore) while I worked and also at night while I slept. Later, I could go to nights only for a while. This usually took about two weeks at work, and a few more wearing them at night.

— Janet McCormick (www.janetmccormick.com) is a nail technician of 34 years and co-owner of Medinail Learning Center.